p. 9 | As a Japanese Journalist Saw It

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1909

As a Japanese Journalist Saw It

A Japanese newspaper man sought an interview with one of our colporteurs because our brother, by his loyalty to his convictions under trial, had been pointed out to him as a “fanatic.” From a translation of the interview we quote:—

“I readily saw that he was well acquainted with his Bible. The margins of the leaves were marked full of references and notes. His knowledge of the Bible extended to minute particulars, and he knew exactly where to turn for whatever he wished to find. It all seemed as easy for him as a turn of the hand. He believes very firmly that the destruction of the world is at hand. After this God will create a new earth.”

“Certainly,” he said, “I am a Protestant. The Sabbath, which is the seventh day, was made by the Creator for man. But men have made a counterfeit sabbath, without God’s authority.”

“I asked him this question: ‘All Protestants keep Sunday; are you not Catholic?’ ‘No,’ he replied; ‘I believe the same Protestantism that was proclaimed by Martin Luther.’”

“These Christians believe implicitly every word of the Bible, and are trying to fulfil it in every particular. I love their sincerity; and while they thus adhere to their profession, theirs is a true faith. Those who criticize other religionists as fanatics are themselves unreasonably severe. Such persons are ever ready to apply the term fanatics to a minority. But a persecuted minority always become more firm and earnest.”

“While I was talking with Mr. Seino in the tea-house by the riverside, many people crowded around to listen. There were workmen, clerks, jinrikisha men, nurses with babies on their backs, horse drivers, men and women, like a wall, surrounding us. The river was flowing full from the melting snows. The surrounding mountains and hills were taking on the fresh appearance of spring, as the sunshine gradually warmed the earth. Under such circumstances, I talked with this earnest young man. All this reminded me of John the Baptist, clothed in camel’s hair, eating locusts and wild honey, and preaching to the people: ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ It reminded me also of how Jesus, after being baptized by John, preached to the crowds that gathered around him.”

“Mr. Seino explained to me that he believes in the authority of the Old Testament, and does not doubt any prophecy or miracle recorded in the Bible. He believes that the destruction of this world is very near, as prophesied by Daniel. Mr. Seino opened his satchel, and presented his books and papers, and I bought a copy of his paper, Owari no Fukuin (The Gospel for the Last Days), and then said good-by, promising to see him again. These people are going to proclaim their message in our city. How are you going to welcome them? What shall I myself do with the message they bring?”

WIFE AND CHILDREN OF ONE OF OUR JAPANESE PHYSICIANS